God’s Mediator 06.19.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday June 19, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 9-12 in your Bible or Click Here to read.
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Today we will read and learn about Job acknowledging God’s justice, his weariness of life, Zophar’s accusation, and Job’s affirmation of faith in God’s wisdom. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that through our trials, God is always with us and waiting on us to call on Him.

Bildad, Job’s second friend to speak, was noticeably less sympathetic than Eliphaz, but he agreed with Eliphaz that sin was the cause of Job’s suffering (See Job 8). Bildad was misled by the same false principle that all suffering is caused by sin. As is often the case, this legalistic religious comforter becomes the critic. He proceeded to reprove and denounce Job as a mere talker, a vain and lying boaster, and as a self-righteous pretender of perfection.

Job answered Bildad, “Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.” (9:1-5). Job also confessed that God’s dealings with him were beyond his ability to comprehend, ”Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.” (Job 9:11). Job was expressing assurance of God’s presence, even though he could not visibly see Him.

All Christians can sense the presence of God not only in our trials, but also in our day to day activities. Although we cannot see Him, we know, through faith, that He is with us. God may never reveal a reason for our trials, but we should never question His actions for there is a purpose for all things in our lives.

Zophar went on to accuse Job, “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” (Job 11:2-6).

During all this Job realizes the need for a mediator between man and God, someone who would stand in the gap between the Holy God and sinful man. “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” (9:32-33). Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only Mediator who can restore man’s broken fellowship with God. “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (I Timothy 2:4-6)

We are led to see that religious people who express unkind criticism of others do Satan’s work. We are cautioned not to impose added suffering to saints who need comfort. Religious professors, who profoundly express divine opinion as God’s authoritative judge on earth, often misunderstand God’s method of dealing with His disciples. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the daysman Job longs for (Job 9:33). Christ is the only Mediator between God and sinful men (I Timothy 2:5).

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
The day to day circumstances in our lives are so uncertain. The solutions to our problems can be very perplexing and seem beyond our grasp. You don’t expect us to have all the right answers or to fully understand all that concerns us, but You do want us to trust You, as we hold on to Your unchanging hand. Jesus, we have trusted You over and over throughout the circumstances of our lives, and today we pray for grace to trust You even more. In Jesus’ name…..Amen.

Have a great and wonderful Thursday.
God Bless,
Christina

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